The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-05-26
The Flower Kingdom.
A WOMAN SUFFRAGE FABLE.
BY LOUISA NJ. ALCOTT.

fOr years the Kings OF the meadow had
been chosen from the GOlden-rOd family,
because they were tall and strong, and
loved to rule. Some of them did well,
others were tyranncal or careless, and all
We're fond of money and power, as their
name showed; but the flowers never
dared to propose having any one else,
because this had been the custom so long.
Now there were a great many Asters
OF every kind and color, from the little
white stars low in the grass to the state
ly sprays waving their purple plumes
over the messy wall that enclosed the
meadow. Those growing along The road
side saw and heard what went ON in the
world, and were wise, energetic creatures,
anxious to set things right everywhere.
SO they began to say to their neighbors,
one autumn, as the time for election drew
near:
"Wc have had kings long enough let
MS try queen now, and reform certain
very important matters which arc always
neglected by the Golden rods, who care
only for tcasting and fighting and having
their own way. Let us all vote for our
Violet, who grows over there in the pal
ace, and would make Il wise, good queen"
ut this proposal the arlstocratlc Cardl
nal Flowers were shocked, and grew red
With shame; the Fringed Gentians shut
Their blue eyes and nearly tainted at the
bold idea, and Ciraills hid her face in
the grass that she might not see the I'M
feminine creatures who dared suggest
such Il thing. But the late Ciovcrs and
Buttcrcnps, being honest, simple heart
ed flowers, cried, "les, yes, let us do it,,
and give The Asters u turn, as is only
fair"
And the Foreialhcrs' Cup, which grew
all over the field, added
'Wc shall vote for Violet. 1t is time
the dreadful intemptrlncc Of the bees
among the wild grapes should be stop
ped, that snakes should no longer be al
lowed to charm and kill the Innocent
birds, that the battles Of the ants should
end, and more peace, order, and ccono-
my be introduced into our public affairs.
The Astors are descended from the stars,
and so are very wise they are also just
and gentle, and we all love them. Let
us try u queen, and see if we cannot
make the meadow what it should be-"
The Forcfathcrs' Cap were much re
spcctcd by all the plants, because they
came over in the May flower, were very
hospltable, with their green and russell
pitchers always full, and outlived tic
frost, like Il fine old family us they We're
SO when they spoke up for the Astcrs
no one dared say much though the Gold
en-rods ragged among themselves, and
openly laughed ut such nonsense. There
Was great excitement, and all the flowers
nodded and rustlcl us if u gale was
blowing rs they talked the matter over
and decided how they would vote. The
naughty Cardinals declined to vote al
all 81 did The Gcntians j; and delicate
Clemalls declared that She only wantcl
something to cling to- and obey, ant
never could consent to be d queen.
i'nt tho Cl0vers and Buttercups, Tho
Pitcher Plant and all the Astcrs. yotct
bravcly for Violet and the Maple Tree
that stood in the middle Of tho field
dropped Il little red leaf with Y on it
as the wind went about collecting votes
which surprised the flowers very much
as such a thing had never happened he
fore, and all regarded the beautiful tree
as Their coart poet, it made such lovely
music high above them. Even the olC
green Rock at the foot Of the Maple gave
a bit of lis lichen for Violet, to the great
wrath of the Grapevine, who kept /;
drinking saloon for the dissipated bees
on its sunny side.
Of course the Golden rods all votct
for their handsome relative, a fine, tai
plant who happened to grow near tho
Purple Aster under the Maple Tree
which was called the palace. But tho
other side won, and Violet was proclaim
ed queen with great rejoicing by all hcl
friends and ncighbors, to the great dis
may of the foolish flowers who wantc'
the world to stand still.
"Nhat are We coming to! :" groanc'
the Cardinals, red with rage.
At tier destruction. :" croaked the Crows
tapping away to carry the bad news else
where.
"We will never visit her." declared tn,
Gentians, shaking their trnges Us if the
mere thought soilcd them.
"Coarsc, untemininc creature, to dare
to rule alone. 1t makes me faint to lool
at her. sighed Clcmatls pceping up al
the same, full Of curiosity to see how
handsome Golden rod took his downfall
He tossed his yellow head in scorntu
silence, and never once looked over tn,
tutt Of ferns that grew between him ant
the new queen.
at won't last long; she can't reigl
alone, and soon will be ready to give il
up. These silly things will learn goo,
lesson, and be glad to get me back. ST
I'll preserve my dignity and bidc my
time" he said to his friends; for he wa.
4 fine fellow, only he did not know yc
what Asters could do when they had tho
power, and it was he who learned tho
lesson, rs we shall see
Everyone thought that the queens
head would be turned with this sudden
change, and that great festivities would
be held III honor Of il, SO the Cardinals
and Gentians half regretted their resolu-
ton not to visit the palace, since they
would lose all chance Of sharing in the
spiendor and showing their lovely robes
But Violet lived very quietly bchint
the tall ferns, and WAS so very busy at
tending to the affairs OF her kingdom
that she had no time for banGuers. She
asked advice of the Maple Tree and tho
wise old Rock, and soon began the much
needed reforms. The snakes were ban
ished, and the birds We're safe. The
tipsv bees were ordered to 60 to the
Pitcher Plant and drink fresh water, fol
the Grapevine Hotel was shut up. The
quarrels of the ants were settled without
bloodshcd, and the gossipng crows were
forbidden to sit on the fence telling evil
stories of every one. The poor were
cared for, and the first feast at the pal
ace was for certain improvdent butter
flies. who had neglected to make theil
cocoons before the cold weather came
These poor gentlcfolk were sent to Il
new home under the mullen leaves, and
passed a comfortable winter with othe,
insects in like case.
Many quiet charities went on, and
slowly the flowers were forced to confess
that the new plan was not Il failure, for
the world still stood, though a queen
ruled. Never had the meadow been SO
beautiful, orderly, and prosperous; even
the Cardinals could not deny that, though
they still turned their backs on Violet,
and visited the GOllcn-rods more than
ever
Tho Astcrs, of course, were in great
feather, and some of them put on airs
but most Of them rejoiced quietly, and
did their best to help her Majesty rule
wisely and justly, sure that in time
prejudices would die away, and all agree
that the new nlan WAS n good one